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2/21/2015 Saturday
St. Johns, Antigua
Arrive 8am Depart 5pm

Pre-trip, we have no plans.

20150221 Saturday StJohns, Antigua&Barbuda PhotoLink
Awoke already tied up, had breakfast and out onto the pier for out scenic tour.

“Super Al” took us in his 20-person Toyota mini-bus from StJohns to the southeast corner of the Island while Dianne gave us lots of information about the place. Population 80,000, and schooling is mandatory until 16. One can get a two-year degree here but must go to another island for the BA/BS.

We were impressed by the lack of bars on windows and doors that we saw in St Thomas. This little nation knows something about keeping people happy so they don’t do crime. On the other hand, the roads are patches on top of patches and quite rough. They use a lot of sleeping policemen here to keep drivers within the speed limits.

We went to Shirley’s (1700’s governor) Heights and took pictures looking down into two bays full of yachts. The old house itself is a ruin.

The harbors on the south side of the island were full of moderate size to huge yachts, both powered and sail. Cousin Fran and Duane would love this place. Nelson’s Dockyard in one of the bays is said to be the ONLY Georgian era dockyard remaining and still working in the world. It’s a National Park, and all the buildings within it have been restored by volunteers or by private interests so that they can operate an enterprise in the old buildings. It’s a very interesting place and would be a fine place to spend a few days relaxing. We had a rum punch in the old bar that was quite powerful. Then we went on with the tour. We found a few things to buy for the little people in the family.

Super Al took us back downtown. We said good-bye to Dianne and wandered into a store that was nice, featuring Caribbean spices and soaps and then the Vendors Market, which we should have avoided. The merchandise was ok, but the vendors were pushy. Dolores bought a nice tote-bag we’ll use to bring the goodies home.

So we boarded for lunch and took our books to the deck chairs. We meditated upon the theme “it’s hard, but someone must do it”.

We attended the wine tasting with a prosciutto-stilton-apple thing and wines by Anton. The lady who joined us was born in Britain and lived there until age 16, then lived in Baltimore. By coincidence, she took a degree in nursing from the same school D graduated with a BA on North Charles St in Baltimore.

We went off to dinner and enjoyed a table for two (first this trip). We like to meet people but it was nice just doing our own thing for a change.

Then off to the cabin to relax. Nothing we want to see on the stage tonight - we’d rather read.

As I quit these notes, we’re rolling a few degrees both sides and the walking deck is closed. Pansies.